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New Ferrari F12 is revealed ahead of the Geneva motor show!: Check out our gallery and video reveal of the newest Ferrari supercar

February 28, 2012

1 of 7The new Ferrari F12 Berlinetta revealed on Wednesday February 29, 2012.

Photo by Ferrari

2 of 7The new Ferrari F12 Berlinetta revealed on Wednesday February 29, 2012.

Photo by Ferrari

3 of 7The new Ferrari F12 Berlinetta revealed on Wednesday February 29, 2012.

Photo by Ferrari

4 of 7The new Ferrari F12 Berlinetta revealed on Wednesday February 29, 2012.

Photo by Ferrari

5 of 7The new Ferrari F12 Berlinetta revealed on Wednesday February 29, 2012.

Photo by Ferrari

6 of 7The new Ferrari F12 Berlinetta revealed on Wednesday February 29, 2012.

Photo by Ferrari

7 of 7The new Ferrari F12 Berlinetta revealed on Wednesday February 29, 2012.

Photo by Ferrari

Twelve-cylinder powerplants have been synonymous with Ferrari since the very beginning. From 1947's 125 S to the modern 599 GTB Fiorano, the Prancing Horse has made 12 cylinders dance like no other company. Ferrari makes engines glamorous, and the latest V12 rocket is revved for the Geneva motor show.

Ferrari revealed the F12 Berlinetta on Wednesday, and it packs 730 hp and 509 lb-ft of torque from a 6.3-liter engine (6,262 cc). Ferrari is billing this new supercar as the fastest it's ever built, and that's reinforced with nearly breathtaking statistics. It can sprint from 0 to 62 mph in 3.1 seconds and clocks a top speed of more than 211 mph. That's a significant jump from the performance specs of the 599, which made 611 hp and is being replaced by the F12 in the company's lineup.

In keeping with tradition, this new berlinetta has a mid-front-engine configuration with a transaxle layout.

This Ferrari F12 can lap the fabled Fiorano circuit in 1:23, which is faster than any other Ferrari road-going model, and it gets a Formula One-style dual-clutch gearbox, replacing the 599's six-speed automated manual. The naturally aspirated engine makes 80 percent of its torque at just 2,500 rpm, and the revs can soar all the way to a limit of 8,700 rpm. The cylinders are banked at 65 degrees.

Ferrari went to work to improve the 599 in nearly every way, resulting in an F12 that's stiffer, lighter and more powerful. The company says structural rigidity is increased 20 percent in its new car, and it weighs 3,362 pounds—with 54 percent of that distributed over the rear axle. The Scaglietti-designed aluminum spaceframe chassis is all-new and uses a dozen different alloys. The wheelbase is shortened, and the engine, dashboard and seats sit lower.

The Ferrari F12 also gets carbon-ceramic brakes and magnetic suspension control, and it has a drag co-efficient of 0.299, with improved downforce compared with the 599. Aero is helped by a bridge on the long hood, which channels air, and an active brake-cooling feature.

The styling takes cues from a range of Ferraris past and present and is the result of a collaboration between the company's styling center and Italian design house Pininfarina. There are prominent headlights in keeping with Ferrari's contemporary appearance, heavily contoured and styled doors and a grille similar to that worn by the FF. Inside is Frau leather, carbon-fiber and aluminum vents and a cargo hold behind the seats.